Reviews By Age Group
The first year brings more gear decisions than any other stage, and the highest stakes. Baby gear for the first year starts with a properly installed car seat and a bare, flat sleep space, then adds feeding gear, a carrier or stroller and a handful of simple toys. As your baby rolls, sits and crawls, the gear shifts from holding them to protecting them as they explore.
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Send a MessageRear-facing car seat, a crib or bassinet following Safe to Sleep guidance, feeding supplies, diapers and a carrier for hands-free soothing. Toys barely matter yet. High-contrast pictures, your face and your voice are the main entertainment.
Start short, frequent tummy time on a blanket on the floor while you are right there. A mat is nice but not required. A rolled towel under the chest can make it easier for a fussy baby, and getting down face to face makes it a game rather than a chore.
Clothing in this stage should be easy: zip-up sleepers beat tiny snaps at 3 a.m. Buy a few in each size rather than stocking up, since babies grow at unpredictable rates and gifts tend to pile up in newborn sizes.
Babies start grabbing everything and putting it in their mouths. Good toys now are rattles, soft blocks, teething rings and board books, all too large to choke on. Avoid anything with small parts, button batteries, strings or magnets. Wash or wipe teething toys often, and retire any that crack or split.
Once your baby shows signs of rolling, stop swaddling and switch to a sleep sack. Lower the crib mattress before they can sit up. A high chair joins the list if your pediatrician gives the go-ahead for solids around six months.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against baby walkers with wheels; they let babies reach stairs, hot surfaces and hazards faster than you can react. Stationary activity centers are a safer alternative for short periods.
Skip inclined sleepers (now banned), crib bumpers (also banned), sleep positioners and weighted sleep products. Treat jumpers, swings and bouncers as short-use supervised gear, not sleep spaces. Many of them get only a few months of use, which makes them good to borrow after a recall check.
For deeper guides, see sleep and comfort, car seats and boosters and the newborn care toolkit. To track development alongside gear, milestones for infants and toddlers is a good companion. This page is part of reviews by age group.
FAQ
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against mobile baby walkers because they let babies reach stairs and hazards quickly and can tip. A stationary activity center used for short, supervised periods is a safer alternative.
Very few: rattles, soft blocks, teething toys, board books, stacking cups and a ball cover most of the year. Make sure all are too large to swallow and have no small parts or batteries a baby can reach.
You will need childproofing gear like gates, outlet covers and cabinet latches, anchored furniture, a lowered crib mattress and toys for pulling up and cruising.
It is optional. Many dads find an infant tub or bath seat makes the first months easier, but a clean sink or a few inches of water in the big tub can work too. Whatever you use, keep a hand on your baby and never leave them alone in the bath, even for a moment. Check the water temperature with your wrist or elbow first.
Keep going
Newborn Care Toolkit for DadsA newborn care toolkit for dads: home prep, sleep and feeding, health basics and bonding in the first months. Practical checklists for the first weeks home.
Infant and Toddler Milestones: Birth to Age 3Infant and toddler milestones from birth to age 3: what babies usually do at each stage, how dads can help through play, and when to talk to the pediatrician.Ask a question, meet other dads in the 24/7 room, or join the community for resources and support at every stage.
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